Virginia Military Institute

8/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Lexington, VA
5.0 2 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in America

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,527

Location Lexington, Virginia
Website vmi.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Distant Rural

Best Colleges Rank

#123

Size Small
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad

Virginia Military Institute (VMI), located in the Shenandoah Valley town of Lexington, Virginia, is a public senior military college established in 1839. The historic campus, featuring Gothic Revival architecture and designated as a National Historic Landmark, maintains a traditional military structure where all students serve in the Corps of Cadets and live in barracks throughout their four years. As one of the six senior military colleges in the United States, VMI combines rigorous academic programs with military training, requiring all students to participate in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) while pursuing bachelor's degrees in engineering, sciences, or liberal arts. The institute is particularly known for its civil engineering program, leadership development, and physical education requirements, though graduates are not required to serve in the military upon completion. VMI competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Keydets, primarily through the Southern Conference.

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Ratings

VMI is rated within the top 23% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.

Overall Rating

8 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Virginia Military Institute within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Challenging

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1050/1270
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/31
GPA 3.65

Acceptance Rate

71.2%

Applications Due Feb 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 31.7%
Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Virginia Resident Tuition

$21,046

Out of State Resident Tuition

$52,638

Breakdown

Tuition $21,046
Books and Supplies $1,200
Other Fees $10,678
Room and Board $11,310
Budget for Other Expenses $2,150
Total One Year Cost $46,384

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$62,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

69% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Virginia Military Institute are Social Sciences, Engineering, and History. 30% of students major in Social Sciences, 23% in Engineering, and 14% in History.